Making cards and projects that are always sealed with a KISS

A Few of My Favorite Things

If you have a Big Shot,I know you love it. I cannot foresee a life without mine. It becomes like my right arm when I am upstairs crafting. The possibilities with framelits and thinlits are never-ending. But, every once in awhile, the Big Shot is cumbersome and time-consuming. Sometimes, you need something that can travel. Sometimes you need something that doesn’t involve cranking… Come on now… you know what I mean.

This is where punches come in. Who doesn’t love a good punch. Sometimes, you just need to punch things… am I right?!?

Two of the best punches that Stampin’ Up has introduced in recent years are the Banner Triple Punch and the Balloon Bouquet Punch.

Let’s start with the Banner Triple Punch (138292). How many of you want to call it the triple banner punch? I think either one is okay in the end because we all know what you mean. But, this guy is the best. No more snipping notches to create banners! It has three set widths: 1″, 1-1/2″ and 2″. But, these are not the sizes you are limited to. Of course, you can’t do bigger, but you can do smaller and in-between sizes. Just flip the punch over and look at the slip of paper as you slide it in to the slot. You can center it and punch the edge, or you can slide it the whole way in and punch off some of the length as well. I am not sure how much – but this does shorten your strip of paper.

The Balloon Bouquet Punch (140609) is a must have for all your birthday card needs! Now that this is a staple in the Stampin’ Up line of Punches, they are making more stamp sets that use it. But, it is just a good without a stamp set. You can punch Designer Series Paper, foil, cardstock, washi tape-covered cardstock, etc. Again… making the possibilities endless. Attach a piece of Baker’s Twine with a glue dot.. adhere with a Dimensional. Who knows. These balloons add interest and dimension with ease!

So, what’s better than using each of these punches? Using them together of course.

This Birthday Balloons card uses both punches along with the new Balloon Adventures Stamp Set (142823) from the 2017 Occasions catalog. Here is the recipe for making this card… It was another one of the Baker’s Dozen I made for a recent swap. If you are counting, this is #3… 10 more to go! 🙂

What’s even better than having the directions at your finger tips… getting the supplies to make your own perfect balloon filled birthday cards!

But wait… there’s more!

If you order the Balloon Bouquet Punch and the Balloon Adventure Stamp Set PLUS one of the embellishments shown below that coordinate with the Party Animal Product Suite… You can get a FREE item from the Sale-a-Bration flyer.